Branding stamp



s; E. ADAMSON.

BRANDING STAMP.

Patented June 12,1883.

w vi

(No Model.)

' UNITED STATES PATEN'T' OFFICE.

SAMUEL n; annnson, or STAPLETOX, NEW YORK.

7 BRANDlNG-STAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 279,116, dated June 12, 1883 Application tiled July 1, 1882. (so model.)

To all/1071,0112 it may concern:

Be it known that I, S. E. ADAMSON, of Stapleton, Richmond county, 7 State of New York,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Branding-Stamps; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in branding-stamps, the object of the same being to provide a device which shall combine simplicity and economy of construction with durability and efficiency in use; and with these ends in view my invention consists in certain details in construction and combination of parts, as will be more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved brand. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the same, and Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view.

A represents the hollow metallic shell or casing, open at both the top and bottom, the central cavity of which provided with inclined or tapering sides a, and the flanges I), which together hold the letters in position. The bases of theletters B are provided with flanges c, which rest on the flanges b, and the edges of the said flanges c are beveled or inclined so as to fit snugly up against the inclined sides a of the cavity in the shell. The letters B project below the lower edge of the shell, while thebases thereof rest within the cavity. The sides and endsof this shell A increasein width as they approach the top, as shown in the drawings, so as to make the shell sufficiently strong to withstand the strain brought to bear thereon, while the construction of the top surface thereof and the manner of connecting the cap-piece thereto prevent the shell from warping sufficiently to loosen the letters and allow them to move or drop from position, as is a common occurence with a number of brands now on the market.

The shell A is provided on opposite sides of its upper surface, at or near the center thereof, with the upward extension 0, and on the two ends or extremities with the offsets D, into which screws E are rigidly secured during the process of casting the same. These screws are so placed as to approximately expand and contract with the other partsin heating and cooling. I The cappiece F is shaped to conform to the upper surface of the shell A, and is provided centrally with an oblong groove or gutter, G,

in which the upper surface of the follower H rests. This cap-piece F is also provided on its lower surface with two cut-away portions, into which the upward extensions 0 rest, with screw-holes for the passage of the screw, and centrally with a femalescrew-threaded opening for the passage of the operating-handle. The follower H is preferably made of cast metal in the form shown, and is provided at opposite ends with the downward]y-projecting fingersf, which form end stops for the type or letters. As this follower is not connected to any portion of the device and is consequently free to expand and contract, it follows that as the letters expand and contract, the follower will also expand and contract and at all times hold them in position. i

WVhen the letters have been placed in position the follower is laid on, and then the cap F is secured in position by the nuts 1. This method of securing the cap in position by nuts and rigid screws is a decided advantage over the removable screws sometimes used, in that the nuts can at all times be removed for the purpose of changing the letters, while it is an impossibility to remove the screws from position after a few heatings.

The manner of securing the cap and shell in the center is also of great advantage, as the side screws and extensions prevent unequal longitudinal and lateral expansion and warping,

,and also prevent the cap from bulging up in the center, as in the case where no side fasteners are employed. The end of the handle I bears on the follower and is adjusted in the cap-piece so as to hold the type in position at all times. If, when heated, the type should have a slight movement, it is simply necessary to drive the handle farther in, which forces the follower and type back into position. This slight movement above referred to is not, however, detrimental to the practical working of the brand, so long as the type cannot fall out of the shell or casing.

The brands can be made of any sizes to suit any particular name, word, or words, or they can be made of standard sizes, as desired, and in either case the letters can be removed and interchanged, as desired, or new ones substituted therefor in a very few moments.

My improved device is simple and compact in structure, is of few parts, is effective and durable in use, and can be manufactured at a comparatively small initial cost, as no machinework whatever is required to be done on any of the parts except the central thread.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is

1. The eombinati on, with the shell. provided with the central cavity having inclined sides and flanges, described, and screws formed integral in the upper surtace thereof, of a f0llower adapted to bear on the letters or type, a

cap-piece provided with holes for the passage otthe screws, nuts for securing the cap in position, and an adjustable handle passing centrally through the, cap-piece and adapted to bear on the follower, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the shell provided with the central type or letter cavity, and the offsets and upward extensions having screws rigidly secured therein, ot' the cap-piece provided with screngholes, cut-away portions for the upward extensions of the shell, and a scre\\'-threaded opening for the passage of the handle, a follower, and an adjustable handle, all of the above parts adapted to operate as described. A

3. The combination, with the shell and cappiece, of the follower and handle, all of the above parts constructed and adapted to operate described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

, ,SAMUEL EUGENE ADAMSON.

\Vitnesses:

W. ODELL, J OHN BARDES. 

